Senate Dems Propose Fracking Waste Ban

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Democrats in the state Senate are introducing legislation to ban hydraulic fracturing waste product from the state.

The minority conference released four bills Tuesday that would ban fracking waste from being shipped into the state for treatment or disposal, eliminate the waste from being used to melt ice off of roads and bar treatment facilities and landfills from accepting the byproduct.

Fracking involves injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure to extract oil and gas from rock formations.

The Department of Environmental Conservation would also establish regulations for the disposal of waste product and prohibit the sale or use of the liquid waste.

The state health department is currently reviewing whether fracking should be allowed in the state.